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Andyspoppa

New member
Hi all,
New to this Boating thing...am a mechanic by trade (aircraft).

Bought a used boat...18 Ft Wellcraft, with a Merc-cruiser (GM 4 Cyl) 165 HP, and an Alpha Drive. First time out it spit through carb when trying to advance the throttle ...but settled down after warm up. Ran fine...but pulled to left and was a nightmare to hold straight at high speed...had to hold it to the right hard. Found the node tab was pointed way over to the right (looking from prop fowrard) I moved it toward the left just a little from center...need to see if that helped.

Removed the prop to lube the shaft...put it back on, but evidently not right, as when I tested it this morning in the lake...it wouldn't propel the boat either way! Got it out of the water and looked to see what was wrong...nut wasn't down enough! By using a board to keep the prop from turning for loosening the nut, I left it in place to tighten it!! Wrong move...retighten it and put it back in the water, started it up, put the tilt down, engaged the drive in Reverse...wouldn't move the boat at all. Tried fwd...moved??
Talked to a guy at the marina...he said it sounded like the drive wasn't engaging...and told me it was adjustable at the cables.

Sorry...for the long read...but is that sound right? nd one other thing, it has a closed cooling system, do I still have to get those ears to put on the foot when cranking it up?? I had an outboard once and had to use those...but not sure on a closed system.

Thanks in advance...

Andyspoppa
 
you have a 3.7L Mercruiser called a 470 or 488 .Not related to a car motor in any way.It is a bastard creation by mercruiser.
need to get your self the manual and start reading up . think its number 8..Water must be supplied to the outdrive to keep from melting the impeller.
 
First off,always hookup the water muffs before starting.If not you will burn up the impeller inside the lower unit.The impeller is made of rubber.Can't handle heat.Needs water all & everytime.
As for your steering problem yes that is where you adjust the steering if pulling .
As for your shifting.Remove the upper unit again.I bet you didn't lineup the shift lever before reinstalling the upper unit.
You should be able to look underneath to see if the shift lever is in line with the slot.When removing the upper unit.You must first,set the throutle to full throutle forward all the way.That shift arm lever located on the lower part of the unit.Is sloppy.as moves if not carefull.If you didn't line up that shift arm prior of installing,bolting it down?You just may have bent the shift arm since you bolted,tighten it down.That's why you only have one gear.The shift arm is in a bind.Or when imstalling you bent the shift arm.Now if you try adjusting the shift cable you'll really have it all out of wake.Change your gear oil.Check for water in the gear oil as well.Check your bellows for holes,cracks and install your drain plug.
I'm with the Doc.Get a manual and read up on it.Boats are there own world.Not a airplane or like a car.We learn as we go.
Best,
 
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